This winter, Maxwell (Max) Packebush joined our group to complete his PhD in the EPSS Geochemistry Program.

Max earned his BS in molecular biology and microbiology from the University of Wyoming. While working under Dr. Thomas Boothby at UWyo, he published research on intrinsically disordered proteins from an extremotolerant organism in Scientific Reports. Following graduation, he completed a year-long post-baccalaureate position at NASA Ames Research Center, where he worked under the mentorship of Dr. Mark Ditzler. During this time, his research focused on investigating the role of amyloid formation in the early evolution of enzymes.

For his graduate studies in our group, Max will be involved in research on extremophiles.

Welcome to UCLA, Max!